Renewable energy, job creation, retraining the manufacturing work force and strengthening Michigan are all some of the hottest topics in the state.

Nate Koetje, COO of electrical-services firm Feyen Zylstra, believes his company's partnership with the Green Panel hits on all of those points.

"Essential Feyen Zylstra was really built on the West Michigan manufacturing world," he said. "Over the past 12 to 18 months, we've really been looking for opportunities to reinvent ourselves -- not only create new jobs and look for ongoing growth, but retain our employees that we have."

Feyen Zylstra, with offices in Grand Rapids and Traverse City, began exploring a partnership with solar-energy company the Green Panel, based in Brighton, a few months ago. Last month, they started offering a comprehensive solar-energy solution called EF&I, which stands for engineer, furnish and install.

Koetje said the Green Panel will use its engineering and design expertise to create the solar-energy products, and Feyen Zylstra will act as the installers.

Feyen Zylstra's customers were pushing for renewable-energy solutions, Koetje said. The company's customers include large companies, municipalities and higher education.

Feyen Zylstra and the Green Panel just completed a job at Michigan State University, and they have projects lined up in Ohio and Illinois -- Koetje is excited about bringing that revenue back into Michigan. And his current customers are happy to have an in-state option for solar energy.

"We've got really good traction, and people seem to be responding really well to our message ... of opportunity and job creation," Koetje said. "And our customers are excited to have someone who can help them wade through the chaos that is renewable energy right now."

Koetje and Green Panel CEO Adam Harris visited Lansing recently to talk about how the partnership is creating jobs and offering their companies an opportunity to renew their skill set.

"We're taking individuals that have cut their teeth training- and educationwise in a manufacturing setting, and they're embracing the chance to get retrained and retooled to be a part of what the state of Michigan is calling their renewable-energy economy," Koetje said.

A group of Feyen Zylstra employees just finished a weeklong course for solar installation. Plus, Koetje estimates that by the end of the year, the Green Panel will have 20 jobs that wouldn't exist without this partnership, while his company will create or retain 30 jobs. The companies currently employee 14 and 250 people, respectively.

"Three things that are important to us (are) this idea of (offering a renewable-energy solution) within the state of Michigan, providing jobs, and providing an opportunity for our current employees to renew their skills," he said. "Those are really, for us, just critical. We wouldn't be doing it if it weren't for those three things."